What an amazing witness! 👏
NBA head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics recently appeared on the Dominican Friars’ Godsplaining podcast with host Father Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P.
In a half-hour conversation, Mazzulla and Father Kress discuss many topics, including Mazzulla’s “Catholic upbringing, the struggle with identity as an athlete, the decision that changed his life, how he brings his faith to a chaotic lifestyle, and the Rosary as his pre-game ritual.”
At the conclusion of the podcast, Joe Mazzulla surprises listeners with an unexpected declaration: his desire to become a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church!
Father Kress asks,
“What would you say is your next professional goal?”
Mazzulla responds,
“I just became eligible to be a deacon, which I've always wanted to do. There we go. I've been thinking about that.”
The Boston Celtics’ head coach did not provide further details.
Watch the video below:
Father Kress told EWTN he did not expect this answer from Mazzulla.
“When I asked the question, I was expecting his response to reference another championship or Olympic gold medal coaching hopes,” Father Kress said. “What I didn’t expect was for him to appropriately hope for a more eternal prize… being ordained as a deacon in the Catholic Church.”
This is not the first time Mazzulla has publicly proclaimed his passion for his Catholic faith.
In 2022, ChurchPOP reported Mazzulla’s bold words regarding the Holy Family. His video went viral across the internet.
At a November 2022 press conference following a victory against the Miami Heat, a reporter asked about the presence of Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton of Wales at the game.
“Did you get a chance to meet with the royal family, and if not, what was it like having them there in the building?” the reporter asked.
Mazzulla answered,
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph?”
The reporter laughed and responded, “The prince and princess of Wales.”
Mazzulla then said,
“I’m only familiar with one royal family. I don’t know too much about that one. But hopefully they’re Celtic fans.”